Tag: Konkani Language

Books & Literature

All India Konkani Parishad to Hold General Body Meeting on October 11

Tanisha Cardozo

The General Body Meeting of the All India Konkani Parishad is scheduled to be held on Saturday, 11th October 2025 at 3.30 pm at Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Konkani Bhavan, Vidyanagar, Madgao. A number of key decisions crucial to the organisation’s future will be made during this meeting.

A major item on the agenda is addressing the difficulties in the re-registration process of the Parishad, which is central to its legal and administrative continuity. Members will deliberate on possible solutions and determine the way forward.

Additionally, the meeting will focus on preparations for the upcoming 26th Sahitya Sammelan, slated for 22nd and 23rd November 2025, to be held in Ernakulam, Kerala. During the meeting, the welcome committee for the Sammelan will be formally approved.

Crucially, the President of the Sahitya Sammelan will also be elected. In this regard, the Secretary of the Parishad, Sneha Sabnis, has urged affiliated organisations to put forward names of senior Konkani writers, taking into account their literary excellence and contributions to the language. Nominations should either be brought to the meeting or submitted in writing by 5th October 2025.

Working President Chetan Acharya has also made an appeal to all members of the All India Konkani Parishad to attend the meeting. Members traveling from distant locations are encouraged to confirm their attendance by 5th October so that accommodation arrangements can be made.

If the quorum is not met by 3.30 pm, the meeting will be delayed by half an hour and commence at 4.00 pm. The gathering is expected to set the course for the Parishad’s next phase and the successful conduct of the Sahitya Sammelan in Kerala.

rip

Goa Loses Veteran Journalist and Konkani Stalwart Babli Nayak ; Passes Away at 73

Tanisha Cardozo

The Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) has expressed deep sorrow and paid tribute to senior journalist Babli Nayak, who passed away at the age of 73 after a brief illness on Thursday. Nayak, widely respected in Goa’s media and cultural landscape, was known not only for his journalistic integrity but also for his lifelong dedication to the Konkani language and Goa’s identity.

Nayak began his career with Sunaparant, Goa’s first Konkani daily, from its inception. He rose through the ranks to become its editor and remained with the publication until it ceased operations in 2016. His work at Sunaparant helped shape the discourse on Goan identity and linguistic rights during a transformative era for the state.

Beyond the newsroom, Nayak played a critical role in the 1986 ‘Konkani Projecho Awaz’ movement, which sought recognition for Konkani as the official language of Goa and pushed for its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. He was also actively involved in the campaign for Goa’s statehood. His activism was not without sacrifice—he was arrested and jailed at Aguada Fort during the Emergency in 1975 for protesting against the suppression of civil liberties, as a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Despite his substantial contributions to journalism and society, Nayak never accepted any awards or public felicitations. He chose to serve quietly but with unwavering dedication, earning the admiration and respect of peers across generations.

The GUJ has conveyed its deepest condolences to the family of Babli Nayak and acknowledged his unmatched role in shaping the media narrative in Goa. His absence will be profoundly felt by all who value fearless journalism and cultural advocacy.

EduConnect

Konkani Words Will Disappear If Not Used”: Prasad Volvoikar at 7th Batch of Govt. Training

Closed Account

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H, Team Allycaral

The Directorate of Official Language, Government of Goa, inaugurated the 7th batch of Konkani training for government employees on September 16, 2025, at the Language Research Centre, Panaji.

The four-day program, running from September 16 to 19, aims to strengthen the use of Konkani in administration. 28 government employees have enrolled in this batch. The sessions will focus on Konkani grammar, official correspondence, administrative vocabulary, notings, and conversation skills.

Speaking at the inauguration, Chief Guest Shri Prasad Volvoikar, Director of the Public Grievances Department, stressed the urgency of language preservation:

“All government employees should take full advantage of this training programme. Konkani should be used as much as possible in administrative work because if Konkani words are not used, they will disappear.”

Also present at the ceremony were Shri Meghanath Parab, Director of Official Language, and Shri Anil Sawant, Deputy Director of Official Language. Director Parab highlighted the Directorate’s mission of ensuring the maximum use of Konkani as the official language in governance.

Following the completion of this batch, the 8th batch of training will be held from September 22 to 25, 2025, at the Language Research Centre, Panaji, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.

This initiative reflects the Government of Goa’s continued commitment to preserving Konkani, not just as a cultural identity, but as a living and functioning administrative language.

Events in Goa

Konkani Language Training Gains Momentum Among Government Staff in Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

The Directorate of Official Language, Goa, inaugurated the sixth batch of its Official Language in Administration training program today in Margao. A total of 26 government employees from various departments are participating in the four-day training, which is designed to improve the use of Konkani—the state’s official language—in administrative work.

The training focuses on core areas such as basic Konkani grammar, official correspondence, administrative vocabulary, noting in Konkani, and practical conversation for day-to-day functioning in government offices. Conducted in an immersive, classroom-style format, the program is part of the government’s larger effort to integrate the use of Konkani in formal communication and governance.

Speaking at the event, Salcete Mamlatdar Gaurav Gaonkar emphasized the importance of language in identity and public service. “We learn regional languages in school but rarely use our mother language or official language when working in government. Government employees will benefit from Konkani training,” he said.

The initiative has seen consistent participation, reflecting growing awareness and willingness among government employees to adopt Konkani in their professional roles. With the sixth batch underway, the Directorate has also announced that the seventh and eighth batches of training will begin shortly. The seventh batch will commence on 16th September and the eighth batch on 22nd September. Both sessions will be held at the Language Research Centre, Directorate of Official Language, located on the 5th floor of Junta House in Panaji. Each session will run from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

This program is a significant step toward the normalization of Konkani in government administration, aligning policy with cultural and linguistic identity. The Directorate aims to empower public servants with the tools and confidence to use Konkani effectively in their official capacities, enhancing inclusivity and accessibility in governance.

rip

Remembering Eric Ozario: Legendary Konkani Singer and Cultural Pioneer Passes Away

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

Eric Alexander Ozario, born on May 18, 1949, in Jeppu, Mangalore, was a towering figure in the Konkani cultural landscape. As a singer, composer, cultural activist, and trade unionist, Eric’s contributions to Konkani arts are monumental. He was the visionary founder of Mandd Sobhann, a premier cultural organization dedicated to promoting Konkani music, dance, and theatre, as well as Kalaangann, a heritage centre celebrating Konkani culture.

Eric Ozario’s passion for the Konkani language extended beyond music. He was instrumental in securing the recognition of Konkani as an optional language in Karnataka’s school education system, thus ensuring that the language’s rich heritage would be preserved and passed on to future generations. His commitment was deeply rooted in a desire to uplift and maintain the identity of Konkani culture in India, especially in Karnataka, where Konkani is spoken widely but often overshadowed by other regional languages.

In 2023, Eric further showcased his musical talents as the music director for the Konkani film ‘Ozmitay’, adding yet another feather to his illustrious career. His compositions resonated deeply with audiences, reflecting the soul of Konkani traditions in a modern context.

Eric Ozario passed away on August 29, 2025, leaving behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come. The loss is deeply felt across the Konkani-speaking world and beyond, as he was not just an artist but a cultural guardian who tirelessly worked to keep Konkani arts and language alive. The nation mourns the passing of this icon, celebrating a life dedicated to culture, music, and community.